Artificial intelligence vehicle leak detection system and related methodology

ABSTRACT

A leak detection system is configured to provide vehicle-specific leak detection for a vehicle. The leak detection system includes a memory circuit having a plurality of leak detection instructions matched with vehicle identification information. The system additionally includes an ultraviolet light source and a camera configured to capture an image of an area illuminated by the ultraviolet light source. A processor is in operative communication with the memory circuit and the camera. The processor is configured to facilitate identification of at least one of the plurality of leak detection instructions in response to receipt of vehicle identification information associated with the vehicle, and compare the image captured by the camera to a known image of the vehicle to determine presence and location of a leak.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to leak detection in fluidsystems on vehicles, and more specifically, to a leak detection systemand a related methodology which utilizes artificial intelligence todetect possible leaks in a fluid system on a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Vehicles typically include several fluid systems, with each fluid systembeing associated with a different vehicle function. For instance, aradiator fluid system may serve the function of keeping the engine fromoverheating. A transmission fluid system may be included to keep thetransmission lubricated. Other fluids on the vehicle may include oil,power steering fluid, brake fluid, air conditioning coolant, washerfluid, and fuel, with each fluid typically being associated with arespective fluid system. Each fluid system may include one or moreconduits or fluid components which may leak if the integrity of thefluid components is compromised. For instance, a rupture of a tube or adisconnection of a fitting, may result in a leak of the fluid flowingthrough that component.

Given the importance of the fluid systems, any leak in the fluid systemmay negatively impact the operation of the vehicle. As such, there is adesire to be able to detect the presence of a leak and identify thecomponent requiring repair or replacement to fix the leak. To that end,several leak detecting tools have been developed for aiding a user indetecting a leak on a vehicle.

Many existing leak detecting tools utilize ultraviolet (UV) light todetect leaks by injecting a UV dye into a system under test. If leaksare present, the dye leaks from the fluid system and UV light may beemitted onto the dye, which causes the dye to illuminate to indicate thepresence and location of the leak. Although existing leak detectiontools may provide some assistance in detecting leaks, a challenge withusing conventional UV-based detection techniques in automobiles is thatfluid components, hoses, pipes, etc., are installed in extremely tightplaces, thereby creating difficulties in viewing the leaking dye.

Furthermore, another deficiency with conventional UV-based leakdetection techniques is that even if a leak is capable of being visuallydetected by a user, the part from which the UV dye is leaking may not beknown to the user. As such, the user may not know which part to purchasefor replacement. This may be particularly difficult fordo-it-yourselfers, who may lack automotive expertise.

Yet another deficiency associated with convention leak detection toolsis that they may be limited in their ability to provide guidance to theuser. With several different fluid systems on the vehicle, a user maynot know where to begin leak testing or how to begin leak testing.Furthermore, the number and location of fluid systems on each vehiclemay be unique, and thus, general knowledge of vehicle fluid systems maynot be sufficient to easily conduct leak detection. Rather, morevehicle-specific guidance may be needed to quickly and easily conductleak detection.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a leak detection toolcapable of providing vehicle-specific guidance, and automaticallyidentifying a leak based on images captured by the tool. Various aspectsof the present disclosure address this particular need, as will bediscussed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward addressingthe problem of leak detection in tight spaces by utilizingvehicle-specific guidance and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyzeimages captured by a probe to determine whether a leak may be present. Aleak detection tool may guide a user through step-by-step diagnosticinstructions, including instructions for injecting dye into a system,and using the probe having a camera and ultraviolet light embeddedthereon. The probe is guided by the user to capture images of the systemunder test, with the images being sent to an image analyzer to detectleaking dye. When dye is detected, the tool may generate a visual alert,audible alert, or send a text message to a user. The alert may identifywhere the leak is located, as well as parts or repairs that may need tobe completed to fix the leak.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a leak detection system configured to provide vehicle-specificleak detection for a vehicle. The leak detection system includes amemory circuit having a plurality of leak detection instructions andengine layout information matched with vehicle identificationinformation. The vehicle identification information may be input to thesystem in various ways, such as manual input to the system, scanned frominformation displayed on a door panel/dashboard of the vehicle orderived from electronic information output from the vehicle on-boarddiagnostic system. The engine layout information preferably indicatesthe size, shape and relative location of engine components, insufficient detail to facilitate identification of specific componentsdisposed within the field of view of the camera. The system additionallyincludes an ultraviolet light source and a camera configured to capturean image of an area illuminated by the ultraviolet light source. Aprocessor is in operative communication with the memory circuit, thecamera and a user interface. The processor is configured to facilitateidentification of at least one of the plurality of leak detectioninstructions in response to receipt of vehicle identificationinformation associated with the vehicle. The processor may be furtheroperative to autonomously analyze the image captured by the camera todetect presence of a leak based on illumination of the area by theultraviolet light source, and to compare the captured image to thestored engine layout information associated with the vehicle todetermine location of the detected leak.

The processor may additionally be operative to autonomously identify thevehicle specific part needing replacement from the location of the leak,the vehicle identification information and the engine layoutinformation. The processor may be configured to generate a partidentification signal associated with the part requiring replacement forcommunication to the user. In one embodiment the part identificationsignal may be representative of a universal part number, such as an ACESpart number. The identification of the part requiring replacement andgeneration of the associated part identification signal may beimplemented autonomously in response to detection of the leak. In oneembodiment the part identification signal may be communicatedautonomously to a wireless communication device, such as a cellphone,operative to access a part supplier to enable purchase of the partneeded to be replaced.

The leak detection system may include a vehicle image databaseoperatively communicable with the processor and having a plurality ofvehicle images matched with vehicle identification information. Theprocessor may be configured to identify at least one of the plurality ofvehicle images matched with received vehicle identification associatedwith the vehicle. The leak detection system may include a housing, withthe memory circuit and the processor being located within the housingand the vehicle image database being located external to the housing.

The processor may be configured to generate a vehicle identificationsignal associated with received vehicle identification information. Thevehicle identification signal may be communicable to a remote serverincluding a vehicle image database thereon having a plurality of vehicleimages matched with vehicle identification information.

The leak detection system may additionally include a hand-holdablehousing, with the processor and the memory circuit being located withinthe housing. A diagnostic connector head may be coupled to the housing,with the diagnostic connector head having a diagnostic connectorconfigured to be plug connectable to a diagnostic port on a vehicle. Theultraviolet light source and the camera may be located on the diagnosticconnector head. The leak detection system may also include a displayconnected to the housing. The display may be in communication with theprocessor and may be configured to display the at least one of theplurality of leak detection instructions identified in response toreceipt of the vehicle identification information associated with theparticular vehicle. The display may be in operative communication withthe camera and may be configured to display the image captured by thecamera.

The leak detection system may include a hand-holdable housing connectedto the ultraviolet light source and the camera, with the memory circuitand the processor being located external to the housing. The leakdetection system may include communication circuit in the housing andconfigured to facilitate communications with the memory circuit and theprocessor.

The memory circuit may include a plurality of leak symptoms andassociated leak locations matched with vehicle identificationinformation. The processor may be configured to facilitateidentification of at least one of the plurality of leak symptoms inresponse to receipt of vehicle identification information associatedwith the particular vehicle.

According to another embodiment, there is provide a method ofvehicle-specific leak detection for a vehicle. The method includesreceiving vehicle identification information associated with aparticular vehicle, and identifying at least one of a plurality of leakdetection instructions in response to receipt of the vehicleidentification information. The method further includes generating asignal including the identified at least one of the plurality of leakdetection instructions. An image of an area illuminated by anultraviolet light source is received and is analyzed to detect presenceof a leak based on illumination of the area captured in the image by theultraviolet light source. The received image is compared to a knownimage of the vehicle to determine location of a leak.

The steps of receiving vehicle identification information, identifying,generating, receiving the image, and analyzing all may be performedwithin a hand-holdable housing.

The step of receiving vehicle identification information may includereceiving the vehicle identification information from an onboard vehiclecomputer. The step of receiving vehicle identification information mayinclude receiving a signal associated with a scan of a barcode locatedon the vehicle. The step of receiving vehicle identification informationmay include receiving user input from a user.

The generating step may include generating a visual display includingthe identified at least one of the plurality of leak detectioninstructions. The generating step may include generating an audio signalincluding the identified at least one of the plurality of leak detectioninstructions.

The method may additionally include emitting an ultraviolet light tofacilitate detection of a possible leak.

The method may further comprise the step of receiving symptomatic leakdata from a user.

The method may also include comparing the received symptomatic leak datato stored leak symptoms to identify a possible leak.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a non-transitorycomputer readable medium storing computer executable instructions foruse in providing vehicle-specific leak detection for a vehicle. Thecomputer readable medium is configured for use with a memory circuithaving a plurality of leak detection instructions matched with vehicleidentification information, and a camera configured to capture an imageof an area illuminated by an ultraviolet light source. The computerexecutable instructions are downloadable onto a mobile communicationdevice for configuring the mobile communication device to: facilitateidentification of at least one of the plurality of leak detectioninstructions in the memory circuit in response to receipt of vehicleidentification information associated with the vehicle; analyze theimage captured by the camera to detect presence of a leak based onillumination of the area captured in the image by the ultraviolet lightsource; and compare the image captured by the camera to a known image ofthe vehicle to determine location of the detected leak.

The present disclosure will be best understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view illustrating use of a handhelddiagnostic tool for performing leak detection on a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the handheld diagnostic tooldepicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a leak detection system utilizing the handhelddiagnostic tool of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary symptom database;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary vehicle image database; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of detecting a leak on avehicle.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and thedetailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of avehicle leak detection system and related methodology and is notintended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized.The description sets forth the various structure and/or functions inconnection with the illustrated embodiments, but it is to be understood,however, that the same or equivalent structure and/or functions may beaccomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to beencompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is furtherunderstood that the use of relational terms such as first and second,and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity from anotherwithout necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationshipor order between such entities.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, and arenot for purposes of limiting the same, there is depicted a handholdabletool 10 capable of conducting leak detection on a vehicle usingartificial intelligence (AI). FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary use of thetool 10 for conducting leak detection on a vehicle, while FIG. 2 showsthe tool 10 by itself. The tool 10 may include a main unit 12 and acable head 14 having an ultraviolet (UV) light source 16 and a camera 18integrated therein. The tool 10 may be configured to provide vehiclespecific, step-by-step instructions to guide a user through a leakdetection procedure using the tool 10. The procedure may include the useof an UV reactive dye that may be injected into a fluid system undertest. The camera 18 may be aimed by a user to capture images/videos ofthe fluid system under test. An image analyzer may analyze the capturedimages to detect the presence of leaking dye, which would be indicativeof a leak. The analysis may include a comparison of the captured imagewith stored digital images of the fluid system under test to determinethe precise location of the leak, should a leak be detected, as well asto identify the parts that may be leaking, and thus which may requirereplacement. The tool 10 may further be configured to facilitatepurchasing of any replacement parts, as well as scheduling of any repairprocedure for fixing the leak.

The use of the tool 10 allows for possible detection of leaks in tightlocations that may not be easily viewable by a user. Furthermore, theability of the analyzer to detect the location of the leak and the partsassociated with the leak allows for use by users that do not possessexpertise in vehicle fluid systems. Rather, almost any adult user may becapable of operating the tool 10 to identify possible leaks on thevehicle.

According to one embodiment, the tool 10 may include a housing 20 sizedand configured to be hand holdable by a user, and may be similar inconfiguration to conventional scan tools or code readers known in theart. Thus, the tool 10 may include, but may not be limited to, theaforementioned scan tools or code readers, as well as other diagnostictools, such as diagnostic tablets. It is also contemplated that the tool10 may include several conventional diagnostic components that work inconcert with each other to implement the functionalities describedherein. For instance, the tool 10 may include a diagnostic dongle, acamera, and a smartphone, all being in communication with each other(e.g., Bluetooth™ communication) to conduct the leak detection describedherein. In other embodiments, it is possible that the tool 10 includes acamera and any general-purpose computing device in communication withthe camera and capable of processing the images/videos captured by thecamera, as described in more detail below. It is contemplated that thegeneral-purpose computing device may not be handholdable and may includea larger form factor (e.g., a conventional desktop computer or one ormore servers in communication with the camera).

A digital display 22 may be incorporated into the tool 10 to displayinformation, pictures, videos, etc., during use of the tool 10. One ormore buttons may be incorporated into the tool 10 to allow for userinput. For instance, the buttons may include a POWER-LINK button 24,which when pressed, may power own the tool 10 and/or may initiate acommunication link with an external computer, such as a vehiclecomputer, a remote diagnostic server, or a user's smartphone. A MENUbutton 26 may be actuated to display a digital menu on the display 22. ALIVE DATA button 28 may be actuated to request live data from a vehicleto which the tool 10 may be operatively connected. A DT CODES-FREEZEFRAME button 30 may be actuated to request diagnostic trouble codes(DTCs) and/or live data from the vehicle to which the tool 10 may beoperatively connected. A SYSTEM STATUS button 32 may be actuated todisplay the status of the systems on the vehicle with which the tool 10may communicate An ERASE button 34 may be actuated to erase data thatmay be highlighted or selected on the tool's display. The buttons mayalso include an UP arrow, a DOWN arrow, and a select/enter arrow tofacilitate navigation of information displayed on the display screen 22.

The tool 10 may also include one or more external LEDs 36 or lights,which may illuminate to provide a quick diagnostic summary to the user.For instance, a green LED may be indicative of a positive conclusion(e.g., no leak detected), a yellow LED may be indicative of a cautionaryconclusion (e.g., possible leak detected or inconclusive conclusion),and a red LED may be indicative of a negative conclusion (e.g., leakdetected).

The tool 10 may include an external communication port 38 connectable toa cable 40 having the cable head 14 on one end. The connection betweenthe external communication port 38 and the cable 40 may be via a pinconnector, or other electrical connections known in the art. The cable40 may be configured for use in a first operational mode to conductactive leak detection on the vehicle, which may entail the use of a UVlight source 16 and camera 18 integrated into the cable head 14. Thecable head 14 may also be configured for use in a second operationalmode, wherein the cable head 14 is connectable to a diagnostic port on avehicle to facilitate data communication between the tool 10 and thevehicle. In this regard, the cable head 14 may be configured similar toan OBD-II diagnostic connector. The data communication between the tool10 and the vehicle may be

Referring now to FIG. 3 , there is depicted a system-level schematicdiagram showing the tool 10 and various components that the tool 10 maybe in communication with, including a vehicle 42, a remote server 44, aparts store 46, a repair shop 48, and a user's smartphone 50. FIG. 3additionally shows several electrical components that may be housedwithin an internal compartment of the housing 20 of the tool 10. Thosecomponents may include a processor 52, an image analyzer 54, acommunication circuit 56, and a memory circuit 58 having one or moredatabases stored thereon, such as a symptomatic database 60, aninstructions database 62, and a fluid images database 64. FIG. 3additionally shows the communication port 38, cable 40 and cable head14, along with the user input (e.g., buttons 24-34) and LEDs 36.

The vehicle 42 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 66, along withseveral fluid systems 68, 70, and a barcode 72 associated with vehicleidentification information. The fluid systems 68, 70 may include thepower steering fluid system, the radiator fluid system, the washer fluidsystem, the power steering fluid system, the transmission fluid system,the air conditioning fluid system, etc. The camera 18 on the cable head14 may be capable of scanning the barcode 72 to retrieve vehicleidentification information therefrom. For instance, many vehicles 42include a barcode 72 located in the door jamb or door panel. The camera18 on the cable head 14 may also be used to scan the barcode 72, whichmay be communicated to the processor 52 for decoding to determine theassociate vehicle identification information, such as year, make, model,engine, etc. The decoding resources (e.g., hardware and software) may belocated within the tool 10 or external to the tool 10. Although theexemplary embodiment shows a barcode 72 on the vehicle 42, it isunderstood that other scannable information containing images, such asQR codes or the like, may also be used without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure. The information scanned by thecamera 18 may also be located on the dashboard or other locations on thevehicle. Furthermore, as noted above, the cable head 14 may beconfigured for plug connection into the diagnostic port of the vehicleto communicate with the ECU 66 for retrieval of vehicle identificationinformation (e.g., an electronic VIN), as well as other diagnostic data(e.g., DTCs, live data, PID data, sensor data, etc.). The vehicleidentification information may also be manually entered via the tool 10or other device (e.g., a smartphone) capable of uploading the manuallyentered vehicle identification information to the tool 10 or remoteserver 44.

The communication circuit 56 may be configured to facilitatecommunication between the tool 10 and external devices, other than viathe cable 40, such as communication with the user's smartphone 50, theremote diagnostic server 44, the remote parts store 46 or the remoterepair shop 48. The communication circuit 56 may be capable offacilitating wireless communication via Bluetooth®, WiFi, a cellularcommunication network, etc.

The processor 52 may be configured to coordinate data communicationwithin the tool 10 as well as execute functionalities of the tool 10, asdescribed in more detail below. In this regard, the processor 52 may bein operative communication with the communication port 38, thecommunication circuit 56, the user input buttons 24-34 (e.g., a userinterface, which may also include other inputs, such as a touch screen,a microphone capable of receiving voice commands, etc.), and the memorycircuit 58.

The memory circuit 58 may include one or more databases stored thereonfor quick and easy retrieval of information during use of the tool 10.Depending on the storage capacity and the processing capability of thetool 10, the memory circuit 58 may include only a relevant portion ofthe databases stored thereon, e.g., only those portions pertaining tothe vehicle under test. For instance, if the tool 10 is intended forpersonal use, during initial setup, the tool 10 may be programmed foruse with only the owner's vehicle(s), and thus, only the informationassociated with that vehicle(s) may be downloaded onto the tool 10.However, if the tool 10 is intended for commercial use, where it mayinterface with a number of different vehicles, the entirety of thedatabase(s), or a comprehensive portion of the database(s), may bestored on the memory circuit 58. It is also contemplated that some orall of the database content used during operation of the tool 10 may bestored remotely and accessed through the communication circuit 56.

According to one embodiment, the symptomatic database 60 may includeinformation that may be helpful in trying to identify a leak location ona particular vehicle 42 based on symptoms provided by the user. In thisregard, symptom information provided by the user may be used to identifya possible fluid system 68, 70 that may be leaking. The symptominformation may include the color of the leaking fluid (e.g., red,green, brown, black, etc.), the location of the leaking fluid (e.g.,front, rear, passenger's side, driver's side), whether smoke or steamare visible, whether any unusual sounds are discernable, etc. The tool10 may be able to use the symptomatic information to narrow down whichfluid system 68, 70 may be leaking, and/or which portion of the vehicle42 to start performing leak detection. Accordingly, the symptomaticdatabase 60 may include a plurality of leak symptoms and associated leaklocations matched with vehicle identification information. FIG. 4 showsan example of a symptomatic database 60. Once the vehicle identificationinformation is acquired, the processor 52 may be configured to referencethe symptomatic database 60 to identify the leak symptom(s) associatedwith the vehicle identification information. The referencing of thesymptomatic database 60 may be performed autonomously (e.g., independentof user input) in response to the vehicle identification informationbeing acquired. In this regard, the processor 52 may be configured toaccess and search the symptomatic database 60 to identify the leaksymptoms associated with the acquired vehicle identification informationin response to receipt of the vehicle identification information.

When symptom information is provided by the user, the processor 52 maybe able to identify which fluid system 68, 70 is associated with thesymptoms noted by the user. Accordingly, the instructions for testingthat fluid system may be displayed or otherwise communicated to theuser. The identification of the fluid system 68, 70 associated with thesymptoms and the display of any related instructions for testing thatfluid system may be performed autonomously in response to receipt of thesymptom information provided by the user.

The instructions for testing the fluid system may be stored in aninstructions database 62 that may include a plurality of leak detectioninstructions matched with fluid systems associated with vehicleidentification information. Once the fluid system for a particularvehicle 42 is identified as the fluid system that is to be tested, theinstructions associated with that fluid system can be communicated tothe user. The process of identifying the instructions in theinstructions database 62 and the subsequent communication of theidentified instructions may proceed autonomously in response toidentifying of the fluid system 68, 70, as discussed above. Theinstructions may be step-by-step instructions for accessing the fluidsystem and performing the test. The instructions may be vehicle-specificand include details unique to the fluid system under test. For instance,if it is determined that the transmission system should be tested,details for accessing the transmission system may be provided, such ashow to pop the hood of the vehicle 42, where the transmission system islocated relative to other components in the vehicle 42, where to insertdye into the transmission system, and where to guide the camera 18 whensearching for the leak. The instructions may include images, pictures,flow charts, or other helpful information to more clearly and easilyguide the user through the process.

When testing is being conducted and the user is guiding the camera 18 tocapture images (e.g., pictures or videos) of the system under test, thecaptured images may be analyzed by an image analyzer 54 to detectleaking UV dye indicative of the presence of a leak, as well as toidentify a location of the leak and any parts that may require repair orreplacement. When the image analyzer 54 identifies a part(s) requiringreplacement, the processor 52 may be configured to generate a partidentification signal associated with the part requiring replacement forcommunication to the user. Leaking UV dye may illuminate, glow, orotherwise create a visually perceptible indication of the presence of aleak when the UV light is directed onto the dye. The image analyzer 54may include or utilize the processor 52, or include a separateprocessor/hardware, as well as any software, algorithms, etc. (e.g.,Artificial Intelligence), needed to implement the functions of detectingthe leak and the location of the leak.

Analysis of the images captured by the camera 18 for leak presence andleak location may be performed autonomously in response to receipt ofthe images from the camera 18. In this regard, with the camera 18 beingin communication with the image analyzer 54 via the processor 52, thecamera 18 may be configured to communicate the captured image to theprocessor 52. Upon receipt of the image at the processor 52 from thecamera 18, the processor 52 may be configured to automatically forwardthe captured image to the image analyzer 54 for UV detection analysis.

In one embodiment, the image analysis (e.g., detection of presence andlocation of the leak) may entail comparing the captured image with astored image or engine layout information of the fluid system undertest. As noted above, this comparison may be conducted autonomously inresponse to receipt of the image at the processor 52 or image analyzer54. The stored image may be located in the vehicle image database 64,which may include several images matched with vehicle identificationinformation. The images stored in the vehicle image database 64 may beengine layout information, photos, drawings, schematics, mechanicalplans, etc. The content stored on the vehicle image database 64, e.g.,images, engine layout information, etc., may indicate the size, shape,and relative location of engine components in sufficient detail tofacilitate identification of specific components disposed within thefield of view of the camera. Once the vehicle identification informationis received, the fluid systems associated with the received vehicleidentification information may be identified. Furthermore, once theparticular system on the vehicle 42 is determined, the images for thatsystem may be accessed and used to compare with the images received fromthe camera 18. Thus, if the user is leak testing a transmission fluidsystem for a 2014 HONDA ACCORD, the images captured during the test maybe compared to stored images of the transmission fluid system for a 2014HONDA ACCORD. Thus, if a leak is detected on the captured image (e.g.,UV dye is detected), the location of the detected dye may be determinedby comparing the location of the dye to the image to identify a part(s)in the location of the dye.

In addition to the autonomous feature noted above, identification of theparts requiring replacement may be done autonomously (e.g., without userinput) in response to identifying presence and location of the leak. Theidentification of the specific part may be facilitated through thecomparison of the captured image with the stored image, as described inmore detail above. In this regard, the autonomous functionalitiesdescribed herein may include a single step in the overall process, orseveral steps in the process. For instance, in one embodiment, thesystem may be capable of identifying the presence of a leak, identifyingthe location of the leak, identifying a part associated with the leak,and identifying a specific replacement part associated with the leak,all of the foregoing steps being completed autonomously in response tocapturing of the image by the camera, and with the vehicleidentification information already having been received. The autonomousfeatures may minimize the effort or input required by the user. Forinstance, when trying to identify the system/part associated with aleak, in a system lacking autonomous capabilities, the user may berequired to go back and forth between the area on the vehicle where theleak is present (e.g., the engine compartment) and a computer which maydisplay engine layouts. In such a non-autonomous system, the user mayconduct a visual comparison between the area in which the leak isphysically present, and the engine layout depicted on the computer totry and determine the precise location of the leak, as well as thesystem/part associated with the leak. Furthermore, once the system/partis identified, the user may perform a separate step of accessing a partsstore database to try and find the replacement part needed for theuser's specific vehicle. These user-performed steps may lead toinaccurate results, such as the user identifying the wrong part, as wellas a very tedious, time-consuming process. In contrast, the autonomousfunctionalities simplify the process by minimizing the effort and inputrequired by the user, which in turn, may mitigate user-related errors.For instance, the autonomous system may enable identification of thepresence of the leak, identification of location of the leak,identification of the part/system requiring replacement, identificationof a universal part number associated with the part/system requiringreplacement, and ordering of the part, with all of those steps beingcompleted in response to the user simply capturing an image of the areaof the vehicle where the leak is suspected.

It is contemplated that if a leak is detected, the system may beconfigured to generate an alert to the user indicative of the presenceof the leak. This alert may be generated autonomously, and include avisual notification, either on the tool 10 or the user's smartphone 50,or an audible notification by a speaker on the tool 10 or smartphone 50.If the particular part requiring replacement has been identified, thealert may also include identification of that part.

In one embodiment, the particular part needing replacement may beassociated with a universal part number, such as an Aftermarket CatalogExchange Standard (ACES) part number, which may be useful in identifyingand purchasing the replacement part needed for the user's particularvehicle from a parts store. In order to facilitate procurement of thereplacement part, the part identification signal may be communicated tothe tool, the user's smartphone, or another electronic device, to accessa parts store to enable purchase of the part requiring replacement.

The processor 52, symptomatic database 58, instructions database 62,image database 64, and the image analyzer 54, either in whole or inpart, may be located in the remote server 44. Thus, to the extentresources are located in the remote server 44, the tool 10 may be lesssophisticated and thus, less costly. In other words, resources in theremote server 44 may be used by multiple tools 10, rather than requiringsuch resources to be included in each tool 10.

During use of the tool 10, a user may first acquire the vehicleidentification information from the vehicle, by scanning the barcode 72with the camera 18, or plugging the cable head 14 into the diagnosticport on the vehicle 42 to facilitate retrieval of vehicle identificationinformation (e.g., an electronic VIN) from the ECU 66 (e.g., onboardvehicle computer). Alternatively, the vehicle identification informationmay be entered through a user interface on the tool 10, or via an appexecutable on the user's smartphone 50, which may be in communicationwith the tool 10. The received vehicle identification information may beused to identify vehicle-specific diagnostic information, such as fluidsystems 68, 70 on the vehicle 42, images of those fluid systems,possible symptoms that may be noticeable to the user, query on-boardsystems gathering heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC)related operational data (e.g., vehicle diagnostic data), as well asstep-by-step instructions for conducing leak testing for the particularsystems on the vehicle. The vehicle diagnostic data retrieved and usedin the process of leak detection may be acquired via connection of thecable head 14 to the diagnostic port on the vehicle 42 and communicationwith eh ECU 66.

Based on the information and data acquired by the tool 10, the tool 10may identify possible symptoms that may be noticeable by the user to tryand narrow in on where a possible leak may be occurring. For instance,certain symptoms may not apply to some vehicles, as they may not havecertain fluid systems on the vehicle, e.g., some vehicles may notinclude an air conditioner, and thus, may not include an airconditioning system. Accordingly, symptoms associated with a possibleleak in the air conditioner may not be displayed when testing thosevehicles. The symptoms that are displayed may be arranged or rankedbased on a predetermined ranking scheme. In one scheme, the ranking maybe based on likely leaks as determined by an analysis of vehiclediagnostic data, where symptoms associated with likely leaks may bedisplayed first, and symptoms associated with unlikely leaks may bedisplayed last. In another scheme, the ranking may be based onhistorical data from the same or similar vehicles. For instance, thesymptoms associated with the most common leaks for the same or similarvehicles may be displayed first, while the symptoms associated with theleaks common leaks for the same or similar vehicles may be displayedlast. Other ranking schemes known in the art may also be used withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Irrespective of the ranking scheme that may be used, the symptomaticinformation provided by the user may help in identifying the location ofthe possible leak. Examples of the symptomatic information may includethe color of the leaking fluid (e.g., reddish color may be an indicationof leaking transmission fluid, a greenish color may be an indication ofleaking refrigerant, brownish/blackish color may be an indication ofleaking oil, etc.), as well as the location of the leak (e.g., leak onfront of the vehicle, leak on back of the vehicle, leak on the middle ofthe vehicle, leak on driver's side, leak on passenger side).

Identifying a fluid system to initially test may be based on thesymptom(s) identified by the user, or alternatively, if no symptoms canbe identified, a ranking of common fluid leaks associated with thatparticular vehicle may be used to prioritize which system is testedfirst.

Once a fluid system has been identified, the tool 10 may providevehicle-specific, step-by-step instructions which guides the userthrough the testing process. In particular, images, diagrams, andexplanations may be displayed or audibly emitted from the tool 10 asguidance. The process may entail inserting a particular UV dye into thefluid system under test. The user may then aim the cable head 14 alongthe fluid system to detect any leaking UV dye. The cable head may beactuated such that the UV light is emitted from the cable head via theUV light source 16 and the camera 18 captures images or videos as thecable head 14 is moved over the fluid system. When a leak is present,the UV dye will be illuminated by the UV light and captured by thecamera 18 against a darker background to provide a desired visualcontrast.

The image(s) captured by the camera 18 may be sent to the image analyzer54 to analyze the image to determine whether dye has been detected. Inthis regard, the detection of the dye may be performed through a digitalanalysis of the image, rather than by the human user, based on acomparison of the contrast between the dye and the adjacent structurecaptured in the image.

The image analyzer 54 may also be capable of determining the location offluid system captured in the image by comparing the captured image witha known image of the fluid system. In this regard, the image may providespecific configurations of fluid system components, and/or adjacentstructures or components on the vehicle, which may be used by the imageanalyzer to identify the location of the components captured in theimage. Thus, if a leak is detected, the image analyzer will not only beable to note the presence of the leak, but will al so be able to detectthe precise location of the leak, as well as the component(s) thatrequire replacement to fix the leak.

The system may be capable of facilitating purchasing of the replacementparts and associated repair services by linking the customer directly toa parts store 46 and/or repair shop 48. Thus, the repair can beinitiated without requiring the user to identify the particular partneeding replacement.

If a leak is detected, the tool 10 may provide a visual alert, anaudible alert, or generate a text message that can be sent to the user.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example only for purposes ofillustrative discussion, and are not presented in the cause of providingwhat is believed to be most useful and readily understood description ofthe principles and conceptual aspects of the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show any moredetail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of thedifferent features of the various embodiments, the description takenwith the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how thesemay be implemented in practice.

1. A leak detection system configured to provide vehicle-specific leakdetection for a vehicle, the leak detection system comprising: a memorycircuit having a plurality of leak detection instructions matched withvehicle identification information; an ultraviolet light source; acamera configured to capture an image of an area illuminated by theultraviolet light source; and a processor in operative communicationwith the memory circuit and the camera, the processor being configuredto: facilitate identification of at least one of the plurality of leakdetection instructions in response to receipt of vehicle identificationinformation associated with the vehicle; analyze the image captured bythe camera to detect presence of a leak based on illumination of thearea captured in the image by the ultraviolet light source; and comparethe image captured by the camera to a known image of the vehicle todetermine location of the detected leak.
 2. The leak detection systemrecited in claim 1, further comprising the step of identification of apart requiring replacement in response to determination of the locationof the leak by the processor.
 3. The leak detection system recited inclaim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a partidentification signal associated with the part requiring replacement forcommunication to the user.
 4. The leak detection system recited in claim3, wherein the part identification signal is generated autonomously inresponse to identification of the part requiring replacement.
 5. Theleak detection system recited in claim 2, wherein the processor isconfigured to implement the analyzing step, the comparing step and theidentification step autonomously in response to receipt of the image andthe vehicle identification information.
 6. The leak detection systemrecited in claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured tofacilitate placement of an order for the part requiring replacementautonomously in response to receipt of the image and the vehicleidentification information.
 7. The leak detection system recited inclaim 1, further comprising a vehicle image database operativelycommunicable with the processor and having a plurality of vehicle imagesmatched with vehicle identification information, the processor beingconfigured to identify at least one of the plurality of vehicle imagesmatched with received vehicle identification associated with thevehicle.
 8. The leak detection system recited in claim 7, furthercomprising a housing, the memory circuit and the processor being locatedwithin the housing, the vehicle image database being located external tothe housing.
 9. The leak detection system recited in claim 1, whereinthe processor is configured to generate a vehicle identification signalassociated with received vehicle identification information, the vehicleidentification signal being communicable to a remote server including avehicle image database thereon having a plurality of vehicle imagesmatched with vehicle identification information.
 10. The leak detectionsystem recited in claim 1, further comprising: a hand-holdable housing,the processor and the memory circuit being located within the housing;and a diagnostic connector head coupled to the housing, the diagnosticconnector head having a diagnostic connector configured to be plugconnectable to a diagnostic port on a vehicle.
 11. The leak detectionsystem recited in claim 10, wherein the ultraviolet light source and thecamera are located on the diagnostic connector head.
 12. The leakdetection system recited in claim 10, further comprising a displayconnected to the housing.
 13. The leak detection system recited in claim12, wherein the display is in communication with the processor and isconfigured to display the at least one of the plurality of leakdetection instructions identified in response to receipt of the vehicleidentification information associated with the particular vehicle. 14.The leak detection system recited in claim 12, wherein the display is inoperative communication with the camera and is configured to display theimage captured by the camera.
 15. The leak detection system recited inclaim 1, further comprising a hand-holdable housing connected to theultraviolet light source and the camera, the memory circuit and theprocessor being located external to the housing.
 16. The leak detectionsystem recited in claim 15, further comprising a communication circuitin the housing and configured to facilitate communications with thememory circuit and the processor.
 17. The leak detection system recitedin claim 1, wherein the memory circuit further includes a plurality ofleak symptoms and associated leak locations matched with vehicleidentification information, the processor being configured to facilitateidentification of at least one of the plurality of leak symptoms inresponse to receipt of vehicle identification information associatedwith the particular vehicle.
 18. The leak detection system recited inclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to facilitateidentification of at least one of the plurality of leak detectioninstructions autonomously in response to receipt of the vehicleidentification information associated with the vehicle.
 19. The leakdetection system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is configuredto analyze the image captured by the camera to detect presence of a leakautonomously in response to receipt of the image captured by the camera.20. The leak detection system recited in claim 1, wherein the processoris configured to implement the analyzing step and the comparing stepautonomously in response to receipt of the image and the vehicleidentification information.
 21. A method of vehicle-specific leakdetection for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: receivingvehicle identification information associated with a particular vehicle;identifying at least one of a plurality of leak detection instructionsin response to receipt of the vehicle identification information;generating a signal including the identified at least one of theplurality of leak detection instructions; receiving an image of an areailluminated by an ultraviolet light source; analyze the received imageto detect presence of a leak based on illumination of the area capturedin the image by the ultraviolet light source; and comparing the receivedimage to a known image of the vehicle to determine location of the leak.22. The method recited in claim 21, wherein the steps of receivingvehicle identification information, identifying, generating, receivingthe image, and analyzing are all performed within a hand-holdablehousing.
 23. The method recited in claim 21, wherein the step ofreceiving vehicle identification information includes receiving thevehicle identification information from an onboard vehicle computer. 24.The method recited in claim 21, wherein the step of receiving vehicleidentification information includes receiving user input from a user.25. The method recited in claim 21, wherein the generating step includesgenerating a visual display including the identified at least one of theplurality of leak detection instructions.
 26. The method recited inclaim 21, wherein the generating step includes generating an audiosignal including the identified at least one of the plurality of leakdetection instructions.
 27. The method recited in claim 21, furthercomprising the step of emitting an ultraviolet light to facilitatedetection of a possible leak.
 28. The method recited in claim 21,further comprising the step of receiving symptomatic leak data from auser.
 29. The method recited in claim 28, further comprising the step ofcomparing the received symptomatic leak data to stored leak symptoms toidentify a possible leak.
 30. The method recited in claim 21, furthercomprising the step of displaying the received image.
 31. The methodrecited in claim 21, wherein the analyzing and comparing steps areperformed autonomously in response to receipt of the image.
 32. Themethod recited in claim 31, further comprising the step if identifying apart requiring replacement autonomously in response to determination ofthe location of the leak.
 33. The method recited in claim 32, furthercomprising the step of placement of an order for the part requiringreplacement autonomously in response to identifying the part requirementreplacement.
 34. A non-transitory computer readable medium storingcomputer executable instructions for use in providing vehicle-specificleak detection for a vehicle, the computer readable medium configuredfor use with a memory circuit having a plurality of leak detectioninstructions matched with vehicle identification information, and acamera configured to capture an image of an area illuminated by anultraviolet light source, the computer executable instructions beingdownloadable onto a mobile communication device for configuring themobile communication device to: facilitate identification of at leastone of the plurality of leak detection instructions in the memorycircuit in response to receipt of vehicle identification informationassociated with the vehicle; analyze the image captured by the camera todetect presence of a leak based on illumination of the area captured inthe image by the ultraviolet light source; and compare the imagecaptured by the camera to a known image of the vehicle to determinelocation of the detected leak.
 35. The computer readable medium recitedin claim 34, wherein the computer executable instructions furtherconfigure the mobile communication device to identify a part requiringreplacement in response to determination of the location of the leak.36. The computer readable medium recited in claim 35, wherein thecomputer executable instructions further configure the mobilecommunication device to implement the analyzing step, the comparing stepand the identification step autonomously in response to receipt of theimage and the vehicle identification information.
 37. The computerreadable medium recited in claim 36, wherein the computer executableinstructions further configure the mobile communication device tofacilitate placement of an order for the part requiring replacementautonomously in response to receipt of the image and the vehicleidentification information.